Brian F Nankivell

2014 candidate for City of Onkaparinga.
Heritage survey responses.

1. What do you think Council's role is in protecting and conserving heritage?
   To do more than the lip service currently given to the issue. Since amalgamation formed the Onkaparinga Council in 1997, publications have given a lot of attention to the culture and heritage that exists within one council area. However, the reality seems to be that many projects designed to preserve heritage - for example, the Cherry Gardens Memorial Hall and the Watchman House precinct - are not as keenly supported as they could be. It seems that priorities are assigned elsewhere, and yet it is a core responsibility of Council to protect and conserve historical sites - by working with the dedicated volunteers instead of frustrating their efforts.

2. What measures and incentives do you support to protect and conserve local heritage?
   Most projects have volunteers, and so the primary measure of Council is to provide finance adequate to conserve important historical sites. I also feel that more timely action is required because too often matters are delayed which only serves to increase the cost of maintenance or repairs, and of course to strain relations between the volunteers and Council. Council can work together with community groups to deliver better outcomes.

3. What is the most important heritage protection issue in your local government area?
   At present, I would say that the Watchman House precinct, including the old bakehouse (even though that is across the border in Mitcham Council).

4. What policies and programs will you advocate to protect and conserve heritage in your local area?
   I am hopeful of influencing improved relations between Council and Trust people. I say hopeful because there are 21 people on Council, which does not allow any one person to make promises of change. I would also monitor Capital Spending programs to ensure that demolition of any property to make way for new development was carefully considered and fully transparent to community members.

5. Do you support local Councils retaining development approval powers for projects over $3m in value?
   Yes I do.

6. Do you have any other thoughts about the protection of heritage in your Council area?
   I just think the uniqueness of Onkaparinga, with so much history combined with sprawling urban properties, makes it essential that any heritage items need to be preserved and not gobbled up by progress.